Neck / cervical spine decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's back disorders, including degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and lumbosacral strain, were not related to her service. The VA examinations and medical records did not support a link between her current conditions and any incident in service.

The veteran was granted a TDIU with a 60% evaluation for his cervical spine disorder, effective January 23, 1999. The Board is now considering whether an earlier effective date prior to this date should be assigned.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have neck, left ankle, or bilateral hip disabilities that are a residual of service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of hemorrhoids, residuals of a fracture of the left 6th rib, or a cervical spine disorder. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, finding that her disability did not meet or approximate criteria warranting a higher rating.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and cervical spine disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of arthritis or other conditions related to service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between any current disabilities and service.

The Board found that the veteran's varicose veins and left leg swelling were not caused by his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left femur. The cervical spine disorder was not related to his military service, including the motor vehicle accident in service.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical stenosis, which the veteran claimed as cervical dysplasia. The evidence shows current findings of cervical stenosis and an in-service loop electrosurgical excision procedure with findings of slight stenosis. The VA gynecologist's opinion supports a relationship between the veteran's cervical stenosis and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and an increased rating for residuals of thyroidectomy, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine stenosis did not develop during service and is not related to his military service. The evidence showed a motor vehicle accident post-service as the likely cause of his current condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed back, neck, eye, and lung disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar and thoracic spine disabilities are rated at 20 percent, while his cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that these ratings do not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current cervical and thoracic spine disorders are related to his inservice automobile accident, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is not service connected, as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to show it was pre-existing and not aggravated by service. The VA examiner found that the congenital fusion at C3-4 and C6-7 is a disease and may be related to his period of active military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the regional office.

The Board denied increased ratings for right shoulder strain with arthritis and cervical spine disability including spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, both rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for a compensable rating for cervical strain and an initial or staged rating in excess of 10 percent for scars on chest, status post-wart removal were denied. The RO granted service connection but did not assign any compensation ratings.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the loss of a hearing recording, and he has requested another Travel Board hearing.

The Board granted the veteran a 100% rating for his service-connected schizophrenia effective from July 17, 1998. The ratings for cervical syringomyelia and tension headaches were also granted.